George Rogers Plowed Football Rail Now Traveled By Cousin Doby

Duluth, for the time being, remains a small Georgia town, nestled 25 miles east of Atlanta, off Interstate 85.

It's a small town, with a Class AA (Georgia has four classifications) high school, where football is big.

George Rogers played football in Duluth. He won the Heisman Trophy at the University of South Carolina and is now a member of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.

In the past three years, Duluth has gone 10-2-1, 11-1 and 12-1 in football. The school is expected to compete once again for a state championship. Valdosta has its tradition. So does Duluth.

One reason for the 33-4-1 success is Doby Rogers, who has been starting at tailback and defensive back the past three years. Yes, Doby is George Rogers' cousin.

But then just about everybody who plays football in Duluth is related. To George, to Doby, to Gerald Blake, who will be the star running back this fall. ''Duluth is full of Rogers,'' said 168-pound Doby, who will start at safety Saturday night for Georgia's high school all-stars in Florida-Georgia II, the game between the states.

''Football at Duluth is like a family. Everybody plays. We are so high on sports that everybody who moves in has a need to participate. It's like getting up in the morning.''

George Rogers has had a positive influence on every young football player in Duluth. He still holds career records at the University of South Carolina for most plays (954), net yards gained (5,204), average gain per game (110.7 yards) and most touchdowns (33), all accomplished between 1977 and 1980.

Doby was in grade school when George -- they are related on Doby's mother's side -- was playing for Duluth. That was no big deal. The Rogers and Blakes and other Duluth players are weaned on football. Doby began playing as a 5-year-old.

But it was Rogers' success at South Carolina, winning All-America honors in 1979 and '80 and earning the Heisman Trophy in 1980, then being drafted by New Orleans in the first round, that hit home back in Duluth.

''The fact that George comes from a small town and made it big is important,'' Doby said. ''Some people grew up believing you couldn't make it from a small town. George showed us you could. That opened the door for alot of us to believe in ourselves.''

Doby is a believer. After playing in Florida-Georgia II, he will play defensive back for Georgia Tech. He said George did not attempt to influence a decision toward South Carolina.

''He didn't put South Carolina down,'' Doby said, ''But he said Tech's program was better now, and it's a better school academically.''

Three weeks before reporting to the University of Central Florida with his Georgia mates, Doby went jogging to keep in shape. His running partner was George.

''He needs to do a little more jogging,'' Doby said, joshing. ''Seriously, everybody is proud of what George has accomplished.''

What George has done has given a new generation of athletes confidence in their abilities and their ability to rise above.

''Physically and mentally, it Rogers' success helps you because you understand the opportunity is there for you, too,'' Doby said.